The Tiger Lair will not be open for the start of the fall semester despite the original prediction. University Auxiliary Services Director Jason Tolliver said the new estimated open date is mid-October.Construction on the popular food court hit some snags this year when the dining company, Chartwell, ran out of money for the project.”We’re trying to finish the construction to have the project completed,” Tolliver said. “Chartwell, who is our provider for the project, was obligated to spend a certain final amount  — $18 million — on all of our projects. And all of our projects have exceeded the $18 million, so they had to go back and get additional approval for more.”About 10 years ago, Chartwell made plans and set cost estimates for the creation of two dining halls  — The 5 and 459 Commons — as well as Middleton Library’s dining area and the Tiger Lair food court.They pledged $18 million for the projects and have since completed all except Tiger Lair. Chartwell has since put an additional $2 million to complete Tiger Lair.”The costs were estimated nearly 10 years ago,” Tolliver said. “It’s hard to forecast that far in the future.”Tolliver said Hurricane Katrina caused some problems in the development of the 459 Commons, and the Student Union yielded its own problems to construction workers.”One of the biggest challenges we’ve had is it’s an existing building and there are a lot of unknowns,” Tolliver said. “You don’t know about the things that the building hides.”Student Government President J Hudson said students should be worried if their Student Union isn’t providing for them.”The picture that was painted to us was that the Tiger Lair would not be open for the beginning of the fall because of contract questions,” Hudson said. “With the recession, Chartwell pretty much ran out of money.”Hudson said Chartwell went above and beyond their agreement, but there need to be alternatives for student dining in the Student Union until the Tiger Lair opens.McDonald’s and Einstein Bros. Bagels will continue to be open while construction completes on the food court. Tolliver said there are plans to have the Magnolia Room reopened, pending completion of the kitchen.Students will also be able to find hot items like pizzas and sandwiches in a mini Tiger Lair on the second floor.Tolliver said Auxillary Services will continue to update students on the timeline and progression of the Tiger Lair, and he hopes students will be patient and understanding.”We believe when the project is finished the new concepts will be welcomed and pleasing to the campus community,” Tolliver said.–Contact Catherine Threlkeld at [email protected]